michael laws, the major of Whanganui, the ex-member of parliament who fled that domain in disgrace, the talk back host and sunday star times columnist who doesn't hold back on what he thinks, has written about Maori TV's bid for the Rugby World Cup free to air TV rights.
... but before we get into that i decided to look at the whole issue in a different way.
I have just cut out mikes insults to Maori. Sometimes seeing them all together, starkly exposed can offer insights and illumination that can be blurred by the rest of the arguments. Anyway that's my theory :)
I was surprised when i completed the task. I believe you can find gold even in a dirty place. And within the dirty place I had exposed, was indeed a gem, a nugget of gold. That has led me down the path explored after mikes quotes from the SST.
“So that is why i understand just why this country's most extravagant makework scheme, otherwise known as Maori Television, wants to bid for the Rugby World Cup 2011. This annual sinkhole siphons $35 million of tax payers funds a year – via Te Puni Korkiri and Te Mangai Paho – but still illustrates that just because you're a welfare bludger, it doesn't mean that you can't dream.”
“... a game that appealed to their aggressive instinct...”
“... and they want to use their bid as a trojan horse for the Maori language. This indigenous sinkhole wanted to sink even more taxpayers to satisfy their collective ambtion.”
“... and something around that sum that is, in turn, annually incinerated by Maori TV.”
“... ridiculousness of the Maori TV bid. A station with imperfect coverage, no real sports expertise, no track record in rugby and the commercial mentality of a dole bludger.”
“And we know one other thing: if Maori TV end up with the balance, then we will need to learn “you effing Welsh dork referee” in an entirely new language.”
Amongst all the poo there is a gem, “This indigenous sinkhole” It is great that mad mike has accepted that maori are indigenous. He has seen the light Halleluliah!
Indigenous - "The term indigenous peoples can be used to describe any ethnic group of people who inhabit a geographic region with which they have the earliest known historical connection, alongside more recent immigrants who have populated the region and may be greater in number."
Now that we have got the indigenous question out the way, we can actually begin to address the real questions. Such as, “”Should indigenous people receive special treatment?” “Is it important to respect and support indigenous cultures for the betterment of everyone?” “Why are indigenous cultures often overrepresented in negative statistics such as rate of suicide, rate of imprisionment, poverty, early death and so on?” These questions are not easy, especially in a country like this one.
We are interwoven and interlinked and we are who we are. The core part of who we are, is maori. Without our maori core we are unconnected and adrift. We all need the connecion we get through our maori aspect. And i call it that deliberately. Some whakapapa as maori. Some love and are loved by maori. Some are born here or choose to come here to live in the land of maori. By being here we all interconnect and by allowing maori to be our culture we all find a place to be, our Tūrangawaewae.
We are all unique yet we are one. Underlying us all is our love for this place and our gratitude that we have been blessed to be here. Maori culture is inclusive. There is a place for everyone but the place is determined by maori.
All of us are in the waka and the way to get unision in our paddling is through our acceptance of who we are. In the waka, when the timing is correct the waka takes on a life of its own. It speed-glides, seemingly effortlessly, sliceing through the waves, and the paddlers feel it and allow it and work with it. Our country can be like that.
How? Accept the past wrongs and make them right and that means in the macro sense giving maori control over their own destiny. For all of us we need to work on learning and listening and respecting maori culture. The more we learn and see a wider picture the greater our ability to learn will grow. Our waka is strong, it is named in all places – we need to remember the names and who named them.
So thanks mike for moving the debate along even if it moved in the opposite direction than what you may have wanted.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Classic - so bad it seems like a joke
Classic - so bad
What can you say... reminds me of this photo
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"A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.Hat tip - ak Open Mike - Standard
"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."
Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.
"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."
If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.
"I try to treat everyone equally," he said."
What can you say... reminds me of this photo
Thursday, October 15, 2009
View from mars
The Earth and Moon as Seen from Mars (PSP_005558_9040)
Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona
From the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) website
"This is an image of Earth and the Moon, acquired at 5:20 a.m. MST on 3 October 2007, at a range of 142 million kilometers, which gives the HiRISE image a scale of 142 km/pixel and an Earth diameter of about 90 pixels and a Moon diameter of 24 pixels. The phase angle is 98 degrees, which means that less than half of the disks of the Earth and Moon have direct illumination. We could image Earth/Moon at full disk illumination only when they are on the opposite side of the sun from Mars, but then the range would be much greater and the image would show less detail.
On the Earth image we can make out the west coast outline of South America at lower right, although the clouds are the dominant features. These clouds are so bright, compared with the Moon, that they are saturated in the HiRISE images. In fact, the RED-filter image was almost completely saturated, the blue-green image had significant saturation, and the brightest clouds were saturated in the IR image. This color image required a fair amount of processing to make a nice-looking release."
Hat tip - Open Parachute Blog
Give the land back sir noel - you know it is the right thing to do
This one seems pretty straightforward.
Bogus sale -
Right - now we can see where the real problem is - can't make any money if it is given back to the rightful owners can you.
I wouldn't be flying into the airport that's for sure.
Dirty deal all right - but the rich get richer and that is all they care about.
Kia kaha for the fight to get your land back. And sir noel - i'd take that gong off you.
"Former Paraparaumu Airport landowners are continuing their fight for the land as a $450 million redevelopment of the airport is about to begin.
Thirteen descendants of former landowners have instructed their lawyer to go to the High Court to have about 85 hectares of the 127ha block offered back to them under Section 40 of the Public Works Act.
The Crown took the airport land under the act during World War II, but failed to offer it back to the former Maori landowners before selling the block to Murray Cole and three other Kapiti businessman for $1.6 million in 1995."
Bogus sale -
"The sale process was criticised by a parliamentary select committee inquiry and the auditor-general, both of whom rebuked the transport minister for a flawed sale process."
Mr Cole sold it in 2006 to present owner Auckland businessman Sir Noel Robinson for "well under $40 million".
After forking out $4 million on three years of planning, Sir Noel received interim approval from the Environment Court last month for a plan change allowing his redevelopment plans, including an upgraded airport, new terminal and business park, to go ahead."
Right - now we can see where the real problem is - can't make any money if it is given back to the rightful owners can you.
"Norma Ellison, whose grandmother owned land where part of the main runway and meteorological office are situated, and two of her sisters, aged between 70 and 90, are determined to continue their fight.
"There is blood on that land. There will be no peace until it is settled. We are not going to give up," Mrs Ellison said."
I wouldn't be flying into the airport that's for sure.
"Te Whanau a Te Ngarara member Yvonne Mitchell said a dirty deal was done.
"The Crown acknowledged that the process was flawed – it was a dirty deal. The land could have been used for educational purposes for our whanau and our elderly."
Dirty deal all right - but the rich get richer and that is all they care about.
"Lawyer Leo Watson represented the whanau in its failed appeal to the Environment Court against Kapiti Coast District Council's approval of a plan change in April, paving the way for the airport redevelopment.
Mr Watson is now representing 13 descendants of former landowners, who owned 68 per cent of the land. He said he had been instructed to take the case to the High Court and had told Sir Noel of the action.
"The land that is not required for the airport and is surplus to requirements must be offered back. We will be seeking declarations that land not required for the airport be offered back to all those who are entitled," Mr Watson said."
Kia kaha for the fight to get your land back. And sir noel - i'd take that gong off you.
Indigenous TV in Taiwan and the losses and gains in moving from an oral culture
What have maori gained and lost by moving from an oral culture to a more written culture?
Taiwan's Indigenous people have a TV station too.
And isn't this interesting. maori were an oral people and after colonisation we took up the written word. We have gained much but what have we lost? Can an oral people keep their oral traditions alive in a modern society. Are we still keeping our oral traditions alive? Do we still have wananga to teach whakapapa? To teach the art and skill to learn orally instead of with the written word? I know it is paradoxical because i am writing this even as i think it but we need to consider this just as the taiwanese indigenous people have. This is one of their solutions.
Taiwan's Indigenous people have a TV station too.
"Taiwan's indigenous people are the island's earliest masters, with ancestors on the island for thousands of years. They harmoniously sought to co-exist with nature on this land, working as the sun rose and sleeping when the sun settled each day. Living in rhythm the seasons, they inhabited the areas both near the mountains and the water, for generations inheriting the language, culture and traditional sacrificial offerings handed down to them.
Taiwan's masters gradually lost their stage of life as groups from abroad moved in. They were forced to share this beautiful land with people from the Netherlands, the Ming Dynasty's Cheng Ch'eng-kung, the Japanese as well as the immigrants from the Ch'ing Dynasty. Because of the strength of these cultures entering Taiwan, the indigenous people's culture rapidly disappeared, and they had no choice but to learn the languages and cultures that in fact did not belong to them.
Taiwan's indigenous residents expect to be understood, appreciated, respected and really be treated fairly, not to be isolated and viewed as a minority group.
Now, media is modern society's fastest way to build communication bridges, taking advantage of its power, grasping its explanatory powers, and enabling society's weaker groups to pursue equality and justice. Often, Taiwan's indigenous people are in many ways the weakest politically, economically and within the society. They need to expand themselves within the environment around it, through its own television media, reversing their weak position and to return its lost status, its mother tongue and the culture that has diminished over time.
While indigenous societies' talents remain inside, they realized that without important media power, they will have no voice. Therefore, after so many years of hard work, Taiwan Indigenous Television was proudly established on December 1, 2004, and in the beginning of 2005, it started production along with broadcasting programs and frequency channel tests. After a half-year of preparation and testing, Channel 16, the first “indigenous television station” in Asia started broadcasting on July 1, 2005. With this, other stations such as Taiwan Television and the Eastern Broadcasting Company one after another joined in this effort to start building the foundation."
And isn't this interesting. maori were an oral people and after colonisation we took up the written word. We have gained much but what have we lost? Can an oral people keep their oral traditions alive in a modern society. Are we still keeping our oral traditions alive? Do we still have wananga to teach whakapapa? To teach the art and skill to learn orally instead of with the written word? I know it is paradoxical because i am writing this even as i think it but we need to consider this just as the taiwanese indigenous people have. This is one of their solutions.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
key makes a decision and it's a good one
Well I have to say thanks john key for making a decision. Now that Maori TV have avoided the shaft and have the lead role in this, I think everyone (except coleman, mccully, english and ellis) will breathe a sign of relief. Pita Sharples will that's for sure.
"The Government has pulled out of funding a counter-offer by TVNZ and TV3 to scupper Maori Television's bid for the free-to-air broadcasting rights for the Rugby World Cup.
In the latest twist to the saga, Prime Minister John Key confirmed this afternoon that the Government would no longer be backing a separate bid by the two rival broadcasters for the rights to 16 live free-to-air games.
"Our preferred option would be to have one bid on the table, led by MTS, with TV1 and TV3 playing a role," Key said.
The result is a win for the Maori Party and represents an embarrassing back-down by the Government just a day after revelations it was backing a counter-bid.
"It has not been a good process on our side, but you learn from the experience," Key said."
"Dr Sharples said today's development was a win for his party and Mr Key admitted that his ministers' handling was not the best."
Nice to see key saying sorry to sharples for a change. And coleman must be spewing to be smashed by key in front of the whole country.
CTU economist Bill Rosenberg says the latest wage and salary data show while the average wage rose 1.8 percent over the past year from $447 to $455, the average wage for Maori workers fell 1.5 percent.
He says the average hourly rate went up 2.7 percent to $22.96, but Maori average pay only went up 1.7 percent to $16.96.
That is really what we all should be working on and putting energy into fixing.
"The Government has pulled out of funding a counter-offer by TVNZ and TV3 to scupper Maori Television's bid for the free-to-air broadcasting rights for the Rugby World Cup.
In the latest twist to the saga, Prime Minister John Key confirmed this afternoon that the Government would no longer be backing a separate bid by the two rival broadcasters for the rights to 16 live free-to-air games.
"Our preferred option would be to have one bid on the table, led by MTS, with TV1 and TV3 playing a role," Key said.
The result is a win for the Maori Party and represents an embarrassing back-down by the Government just a day after revelations it was backing a counter-bid.
"It has not been a good process on our side, but you learn from the experience," Key said."
"Dr Sharples said today's development was a win for his party and Mr Key admitted that his ministers' handling was not the best."
Nice to see key saying sorry to sharples for a change. And coleman must be spewing to be smashed by key in front of the whole country.
I'm still not convinced it's a good idea, especially when i read that
CTU economist Bill Rosenberg says the latest wage and salary data show while the average wage rose 1.8 percent over the past year from $447 to $455, the average wage for Maori workers fell 1.5 percent.
He says the average hourly rate went up 2.7 percent to $22.96, but Maori average pay only went up 1.7 percent to $16.96.
That is really what we all should be working on and putting energy into fixing.
dargy museum - keeping quiet but the emails keep coming
dargy museum update from maps
have a good read of these posts and the comments - they show that all right thinking people are outraged by this. Don't forget to send your email too, to darg.museum@xtra.co.nz
It is interesting that on this page they have placed the pou correctly - thank you.
DCC discloses 13% of potentially contaminated sites
It is good that councils have been forced to disclose potentially contaminated sites in their areas.
The DCC has disclosed the following:
"30 properties in Dunedin contaminated by petrol spills, buried asbestos and industrial chemicals have been revealed by the Dunedin City Council. The list includes 14 current and former service stations and garages across the city, found to have had a variety of petrol spills and other mishaps during their operational lives.
It also includes details of pesticides dumped at the AgResearch Invermay site at Mosgiel, and asbestos buried under the Orokonui Holiday and Recreation Park site, near Waitati.
The city's confirmed contamination hotspots were released to the Otago Daily Times this week, following a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. "
Well done DCC?
Oh dear
"However, the council is withholding details of another 194 sites - including 50 residential and 145 commercial properties - scattered across the city and also suspected of possible contamination."
And why not?
"In a letter to the ODT, he argued information about suspected sites remained "unverified" and required further work, and would be released only after payment of a $15,050 fee covering staff research costs.
Staff would need to spend an estimated 480 hours researching and preparing a 2000-page report, he said.
The cost of the report would actually be more than $36,000, but the council was prepared to undertake the work at a reduced rate "in the interests of the public good", he said. "
Not good enough in my book.
Money or public safety DCC?
Footnote - I won't go round all the councils but two of interest.
The DCC has disclosed the following:
"30 properties in Dunedin contaminated by petrol spills, buried asbestos and industrial chemicals have been revealed by the Dunedin City Council. The list includes 14 current and former service stations and garages across the city, found to have had a variety of petrol spills and other mishaps during their operational lives.
It also includes details of pesticides dumped at the AgResearch Invermay site at Mosgiel, and asbestos buried under the Orokonui Holiday and Recreation Park site, near Waitati.
The city's confirmed contamination hotspots were released to the Otago Daily Times this week, following a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. "
Well done DCC?
Oh dear
"However, the council is withholding details of another 194 sites - including 50 residential and 145 commercial properties - scattered across the city and also suspected of possible contamination."
And why not?
"In a letter to the ODT, he argued information about suspected sites remained "unverified" and required further work, and would be released only after payment of a $15,050 fee covering staff research costs.
Staff would need to spend an estimated 480 hours researching and preparing a 2000-page report, he said.
The cost of the report would actually be more than $36,000, but the council was prepared to undertake the work at a reduced rate "in the interests of the public good", he said. "
Not good enough in my book.
Money or public safety DCC?
The sites:-The other 194 sites will have to wait until the DCC decides public safety is more important than money - sorry.
• AgResearch Invermay, Puddle Alley Mosgiel
• Andersons Bay Gasworks, Andersons Bay Rd
• Former BP Concord, 92 Corstorphine Rd
• BP Regent, George St
• Coronation Hall, 97 Gordon St, Mosgiel
• Gardens Service Centre/Mobil Oil, 904 Cumberland St
• Glendermid Leathers, Sawyers Bay
• Mobil Service Station, 21 Factory Rd, Mosgiel
• North Taieri landfill/recycle centre, Milner Rd, East Taieri
• Orokonui Holiday and Recreation Park, 62 Orokonui Rd
• Shell Dunedin depot, Wickliffe St
• Shell Fairfield, 46 Main Rd, Fairfield
• Wingatui closed landfill, Gladstone Rd, Wingatui
• 57 Selwyn St, (formerly Begg's woollen dye works factory)
• Caltex Oil Dunedin depot, Fryatt St
• Fairfield Landfill Envirowaste, Old Brighton Rd
• Ferrum Engineering, 10 Birch St
• Fitzroy Service Station
• Greenacres Garage, Greenacres St
• Hargest Service Centre, 125a Hargest Cres
• Former Kaikorai Valley Service Station Ltd, 433 Stuart St
• McFarlanes Tyre Service, 101 Harrow St
• Former Methven Tap Makers, 374 Andersons Bay Rd
• Midland St Landfill, 29 Midland St, Dunedin
• Old Brighton Rd/Duncan's yard, 90-100 Old Brighton Rd
• Former Shell Gordon Rd, 85 Gordon Rd
• Willowbank Quarter, 642/644 Great King St
• Young Brothers, 42 Stedman Rd
Footnote - I won't go round all the councils but two of interest.
The Tasman District Council is still refusing to reveal its contaminated site register, despite the Greater Wellington Regional Council doing so.
The Office of the Ombudsmen is investigating two complaints about the Tasman council's position. It has received a report from the council on the reasons why it is declining to release the list of more than 800 potentially contaminated sites.
Today, a register of more than 1700 contaminated or at-risk sites around Wellington – including some polluted with heavy metals, solvents, chemicals, fertilisers and munitions – was revealed.
The sites include Wellington's St James Theatre and Karori Sanctuary.
maori - who gave you permission to speak
I didn't support using TPK money to bolster the Maori TV bid to provide free to air coverage for the Rugby World Cup. But i never expected coleman and co to do what they have done.
If you want to know where maori stand in our country this is a good example - they don't stand - unless they get permission!
It isn't about coverage, it isn't even about money - it is about elections, and racism and votes and sadly in this country if you back maori you get shafted by the voting public - or so national and labour think.
But we have been here before and we will keep fighting for right and our rights.
"Maori TV chief executive Jim Mather says the channel will continue to fight the Government for the rights to screen the Rugby World Cup, and will use money from wealthy iwi and corporate groups to outbid it.
The Government's last-minute financial backing of a rival TVNZ bid was an "affront to Maori", he said.
It was a much wider issue for Maori than just the television rights.
"What is on the line here is Maori aspiration and positioning in New Zealand in 2009 and beyond."
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said he was hopeful Maori TV could be part of the TVNZ led "consortium" bid, under which TVNZ and TV3 would broadcast the best games.
But Mr Mather said this was "throwing Maori TV the crumbs" and there was little chance of it being involved. The value to Maori TV was in having the exclusive rights, requiring viewers to switch over, rather than staying behind the major networks.
"It is deliberately structured to be wholly untenable and unattractive for Maori TV."
Mr Mather said its bid had been "kneecapped" by National ministers who had passed "commercially confident information" about its bid so TVNZ could outbid it. He refused to name the ministers."
I think minister coleman is about to get a big wakeup - he needs one especially after the melissa lee afair and his part in that and now this.
Can anyone tell me who they think is a decent minister in this cabinet? i cannot think of one. And these are the dumbarses deciding what happens with this country. LOL.
Good analysis from BB here and here the Standard here and here
My thoughts on the whole thing - well this is a comment i wrote on another blog a week ago.
If you want to know where maori stand in our country this is a good example - they don't stand - unless they get permission!
It isn't about coverage, it isn't even about money - it is about elections, and racism and votes and sadly in this country if you back maori you get shafted by the voting public - or so national and labour think.
But we have been here before and we will keep fighting for right and our rights.
"Maori TV chief executive Jim Mather says the channel will continue to fight the Government for the rights to screen the Rugby World Cup, and will use money from wealthy iwi and corporate groups to outbid it.
The Government's last-minute financial backing of a rival TVNZ bid was an "affront to Maori", he said.
It was a much wider issue for Maori than just the television rights.
"What is on the line here is Maori aspiration and positioning in New Zealand in 2009 and beyond."
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said he was hopeful Maori TV could be part of the TVNZ led "consortium" bid, under which TVNZ and TV3 would broadcast the best games.
But Mr Mather said this was "throwing Maori TV the crumbs" and there was little chance of it being involved. The value to Maori TV was in having the exclusive rights, requiring viewers to switch over, rather than staying behind the major networks.
"It is deliberately structured to be wholly untenable and unattractive for Maori TV."
Mr Mather said its bid had been "kneecapped" by National ministers who had passed "commercially confident information" about its bid so TVNZ could outbid it. He refused to name the ministers."
I think minister coleman is about to get a big wakeup - he needs one especially after the melissa lee afair and his part in that and now this.
Can anyone tell me who they think is a decent minister in this cabinet? i cannot think of one. And these are the dumbarses deciding what happens with this country. LOL.
Good analysis from BB here and here the Standard here and here
My thoughts on the whole thing - well this is a comment i wrote on another blog a week ago.
I’m not worried about ‘taxpayers’ money but i am concerned about this. What is the point? I believe that the leverage maori have, should be used to boycott the rugby world cup and all maori activity around it, until maori get the recognition and actuality of their rights. I know some will hate that – what about the sport, what about our international reputation but i say – how long are you going to take being shafted by the ‘colonist’. How many chances do maori get to apply leverage? Most times the majority of the people here don’t give a stuff about maori. It is time to wake up and put the line in the sand and say NO MORE. Forget the rugby, forget the embarassment – this country should be ashamed of the way maori are treated. They steal, they lie, they laugh – well it’s time to put the boot on the other foot! It is time to make a stand FOR maori and maori rights, and the rugby world cup is the perfect spot to do it.They dig up our dead to extend the runway at the airport so more people can come to the rugby – did they care about our dead?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
leave indigenous knowledge alone bogus new agers
It's just a sweat lodge so what's the problem.
"A 38-year-old New York woman who died after sitting in a sauna-like sweat lodge at a scenic Arizona resort was an avid surfer and hiker who was "in top shape," took self-improvement seriously and had a passion for art, a family spokesman said.
Brown was one of two people who died Thursday evening after being overcome in a crudely built sweat lodge during a spiritual cleansing ceremony at the Angel Valley Retreat Center.
Authorities on Saturday identified the other victim as 40-year-old James Shore of Milwaukee.
Nineteen other people were taken to hospitals, suffering from burns, dehydration, respiratory arrest, kidney failure or elevated body temperature. Most were soon released, but one remained in critical condition Saturday.
Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh said Saturday his detectives were focusing on self-help expert and author James Arthur Ray and his staff as they try to determine if criminal negligence played a role. Waugh said Ray refused to speak with authorities and has since left the state. No charges have been filed.
Ray rented the resort to hold a five-day "Spiritual Warrior" retreat that promised to "absolutely change your life." Ray has held similar retreats at the resort in the past. Participants, whose ages ranged from 30 to the 60s, paid between $9,000 and $10,000 to attend this year's event.
Between 55 and 65 people were crowded into the 415-square-foot sweat lodge during a two-hour period that consisted of eight 15-minute rounds and various spiritual exercises led by Ray, Waugh said. After each round, the flap to the crudely constructed structure was raised to allow more heated rocks to be brought inside."
Indigenous religious and spiritual activites have many seen and unseen aspects to them. A sweat lodge isn't a sauna - there are all sorts of rituals and respects that must be completed. And it is the same with our maori culture here. That is why a tattoo isn't a moko. And that is why new-age bogus historians like brailsford must leave our traditions and knowledge alone.
They don't know what they are doing.
Hat tip - Native Unity Blog
Interesting development here a bit of tweet-cleansing going on
"A 38-year-old New York woman who died after sitting in a sauna-like sweat lodge at a scenic Arizona resort was an avid surfer and hiker who was "in top shape," took self-improvement seriously and had a passion for art, a family spokesman said.
Brown was one of two people who died Thursday evening after being overcome in a crudely built sweat lodge during a spiritual cleansing ceremony at the Angel Valley Retreat Center.
Authorities on Saturday identified the other victim as 40-year-old James Shore of Milwaukee.
Nineteen other people were taken to hospitals, suffering from burns, dehydration, respiratory arrest, kidney failure or elevated body temperature. Most were soon released, but one remained in critical condition Saturday.
Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh said Saturday his detectives were focusing on self-help expert and author James Arthur Ray and his staff as they try to determine if criminal negligence played a role. Waugh said Ray refused to speak with authorities and has since left the state. No charges have been filed.
Ray rented the resort to hold a five-day "Spiritual Warrior" retreat that promised to "absolutely change your life." Ray has held similar retreats at the resort in the past. Participants, whose ages ranged from 30 to the 60s, paid between $9,000 and $10,000 to attend this year's event.
Between 55 and 65 people were crowded into the 415-square-foot sweat lodge during a two-hour period that consisted of eight 15-minute rounds and various spiritual exercises led by Ray, Waugh said. After each round, the flap to the crudely constructed structure was raised to allow more heated rocks to be brought inside."
Indigenous religious and spiritual activites have many seen and unseen aspects to them. A sweat lodge isn't a sauna - there are all sorts of rituals and respects that must be completed. And it is the same with our maori culture here. That is why a tattoo isn't a moko. And that is why new-age bogus historians like brailsford must leave our traditions and knowledge alone.
They don't know what they are doing.
Hat tip - Native Unity Blog
Interesting development here a bit of tweet-cleansing going on
Mizo people and maori
Indigenous peoples all have their challenges. Maori have had their land taken and a very small percentage given back. This country is an island, and we have pasifica cousins.
But what about other indigenous peoples. What about indigenous peoples who live and have lived across artifical borders and boundaries. How difficult is life for them when they not only have one country or state to deal with but multiple countries and states. Examples are numerous - in fact it seems like we are actually lucky here to have an island or three here in the south seas.
This is an example of one people stretched across a range of boundaries. Thanks feddabonn for sharing about your people.
"People from the north eastern region of india, spread over 8 states. this is a slightly arbitrary division, negotiated more in terms of geography and difference from 'mainland indian' culture/races than in any real similarities between the various tribal cultures of the north east.
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'mizo' (people of the hills), and our 'homeland' is the state of mizoram (land of the mizos). 'mizo' is again a negotiated identity, consisting of a few tribes that banded together (a lot like the maori, i guess). what we speak is the mizo language, which was originally a dialect of one of the tribes. most individual languages have been lost, but not regretted, as it has meant a common identity and a stronger base to bargain with india. of late, there has been a movement to further integrate with our people from other states of india (manipur, tripura and assam) as well as our cousins across the border in bangladesh and myanmar (the chin).
we were converted to christianity somewhere around the 1890s, and have lost most of our old religion. having said that, the christianity we follow has been indegenised, and has re-introduced a lot of elements (like the use of the drum) that the missionaries had thrown out. the missionaries also gave us our writing
post indian (1947) independence, we had a severe famine in the mizo (also called lusei/lushai) hills called the mautam. our requests for help from india were largely ignored, and in 1966 the mizo national front declared independence. india's response was to send in the air force and the army, starting off a brutal (on both sides) guerilla war that lasted till the peace accord was signed in 1986. i have (as many of us have) had family on both sides of the conflict, but by and large, we have a rather suspicious attitude to mainland india. mizoram was recently declared the most peaceful and crime free state in india!"
Check out these sites for more information.
Mizoram
Mizo writing in English
Music of Mizoram
To my shame i didn't know anything about these indigenous people until i began conversing with feddabonn. How many other indigenous cultures are out there, fighting for life, for dignity but we just never hear about them from the MSM (mainstream media). That is why mars2earth is open to hearing all stories - send them in!
feddabonn has a great blog - Bottle broke - i highly recommend it. Good discussions on art, culture, books, politics and crafts.
indigenous peoples have to work together. we have to learn from our similarities and our differences. and we have to resist the assimilation into the larger homogonised cultures which have colonised us.
kia kaha Mizo people
But what about other indigenous peoples. What about indigenous peoples who live and have lived across artifical borders and boundaries. How difficult is life for them when they not only have one country or state to deal with but multiple countries and states. Examples are numerous - in fact it seems like we are actually lucky here to have an island or three here in the south seas.
This is an example of one people stretched across a range of boundaries. Thanks feddabonn for sharing about your people.
"People from the north eastern region of india, spread over 8 states. this is a slightly arbitrary division, negotiated more in terms of geography and difference from 'mainland indian' culture/races than in any real similarities between the various tribal cultures of the north east.
we were converted to christianity somewhere around the 1890s, and have lost most of our old religion. having said that, the christianity we follow has been indegenised, and has re-introduced a lot of elements (like the use of the drum) that the missionaries had thrown out. the missionaries also gave us our writing
post indian (1947) independence, we had a severe famine in the mizo (also called lusei/lushai) hills called the mautam. our requests for help from india were largely ignored, and in 1966 the mizo national front declared independence. india's response was to send in the air force and the army, starting off a brutal (on both sides) guerilla war that lasted till the peace accord was signed in 1986. i have (as many of us have) had family on both sides of the conflict, but by and large, we have a rather suspicious attitude to mainland india. mizoram was recently declared the most peaceful and crime free state in india!"
Check out these sites for more information.
Mizoram
Mizo writing in English
Music of Mizoram
To my shame i didn't know anything about these indigenous people until i began conversing with feddabonn. How many other indigenous cultures are out there, fighting for life, for dignity but we just never hear about them from the MSM (mainstream media). That is why mars2earth is open to hearing all stories - send them in!
feddabonn has a great blog - Bottle broke - i highly recommend it. Good discussions on art, culture, books, politics and crafts.
indigenous peoples have to work together. we have to learn from our similarities and our differences. and we have to resist the assimilation into the larger homogonised cultures which have colonised us.
kia kaha Mizo people
Monday, October 12, 2009
dargaville museum infiltrated by pseudo-historian maori haters
A brilliant post from Maps .Reading the Maps: Pseudo-history at Dargy museum
Did you know that dargaville museum is promoting the line that there were people here before maori?
Did you know that they have a sacred pou presented on it's side thus abusing it's mauri and mana?
Did you know that they have not discussed this ancient pou or their bullshit explaination of it with local tangata whenua?
Did you know that they disrespect Ngai Tahu whanui by using the lines from that selfsyled loserguru brailford?
This is absolutely intolerable.
Send a complaint here - darg.museum@xtra.co.nz
here's my email to them
Kia ora
I have heard about your exhibit Pouto Ki Rongomaraeroa and the caption which states, “It is different in type and design to Maori carvings, reinforcing the theory that the Waitaha had different origins and a longer history in New Zealand than Maori.”
This is a complete and utter lie and should not be in any public institution. I whakapapa to Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe and Waitaha, this grouping is known as Ngai Tahu whanui. You have insulted all Ngai Tahu whanui with your lies. And you have also insulted local tangata whenua by refusing to ask them for the truth. Why would you believe the lies of pakeha rather than the truth of maori – I think it is because you are racist and the only honourable action for you to take is to resign.
You are a disgrace and I will be emailing Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu to let them know about your insult to us.
marty mars
Footnote - this is the gist of my email to Anake Goodall CEO of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu
"... I'd like to bring to your attention an insult to all Ngai Tahu. For years we have had the bogus histories of brailsford and his ilk compromise the mana of Ngai Tahu. ...another example in dargaville museum where our history is being slandered and our Tupuna insulted.
I think Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu should send a clear message that the abuse of 'Waitaha' will not be tolerated anymore and i would like the iwi to write, officially, to these people to tell them that they are insulting us by suggesting that Waitaha were here before maori..."
Did you know that dargaville museum is promoting the line that there were people here before maori?
Did you know that they have a sacred pou presented on it's side thus abusing it's mauri and mana?
Did you know that they have not discussed this ancient pou or their bullshit explaination of it with local tangata whenua?
Did you know that they disrespect Ngai Tahu whanui by using the lines from that selfsyled loserguru brailford?
This is absolutely intolerable.
Send a complaint here - darg.museum@xtra.co.nz
here's my email to them
Kia ora
I have heard about your exhibit Pouto Ki Rongomaraeroa and the caption which states, “It is different in type and design to Maori carvings, reinforcing the theory that the Waitaha had different origins and a longer history in New Zealand than Maori.”
This is a complete and utter lie and should not be in any public institution. I whakapapa to Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe and Waitaha, this grouping is known as Ngai Tahu whanui. You have insulted all Ngai Tahu whanui with your lies. And you have also insulted local tangata whenua by refusing to ask them for the truth. Why would you believe the lies of pakeha rather than the truth of maori – I think it is because you are racist and the only honourable action for you to take is to resign.
You are a disgrace and I will be emailing Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu to let them know about your insult to us.
marty mars
Footnote - this is the gist of my email to Anake Goodall CEO of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu
"... I'd like to bring to your attention an insult to all Ngai Tahu. For years we have had the bogus histories of brailsford and his ilk compromise the mana of Ngai Tahu. ...another example in dargaville museum where our history is being slandered and our Tupuna insulted.
I think Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu should send a clear message that the abuse of 'Waitaha' will not be tolerated anymore and i would like the iwi to write, officially, to these people to tell them that they are insulting us by suggesting that Waitaha were here before maori..."
A thousand suns - trailer
This is well worth a look.
"Shot in Ethiopia, New York and Kenya, the film explores two interrelated threats to the Gamo Highlands: 1) the evangelistic aspirations of the protestant church that are destroying the Gamos indigenous spirituality and governance systems; and 2) the efforts of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a Western aid organization which is spending hundreds of millions of dollars bringing chemical pesticides, fertilizers and‚ improved seeds to the continent."
A Thousand Suns (trailer) from (r)evolutiontheory on Vimeo.
My favorite line from the promo is when they look at the city and say "I can't see any land or fields... these people just live on concrete surfaces."
Bloody hell - we really do don't we.
Hat tip - intercontinentalcry
"Shot in Ethiopia, New York and Kenya, the film explores two interrelated threats to the Gamo Highlands: 1) the evangelistic aspirations of the protestant church that are destroying the Gamos indigenous spirituality and governance systems; and 2) the efforts of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a Western aid organization which is spending hundreds of millions of dollars bringing chemical pesticides, fertilizers and‚ improved seeds to the continent."
A Thousand Suns (trailer) from (r)evolutiontheory on Vimeo.
My favorite line from the promo is when they look at the city and say "I can't see any land or fields... these people just live on concrete surfaces."
Bloody hell - we really do don't we.
Hat tip - intercontinentalcry
Empty our museums of stolen treasures
An issue close to my heart. The louve and france are giving back the 3000 year old wall painting fragments to Egypt.
Now Egypt want some other treasures back too - and can you blame them? Who said the colonising countries could come in and strip and steal the ancient treasures. No one! But while victors make the rules the wheel keeps turning and often those on the bottom end up on the top.
"Many relics from ancient Egypt remain in foreign museums and Cairo is struggling to persuade other countries to send them back, like France which agreed to return a set of 3,000-year-old wall painting fragments.
"It is the Egyptian people's right to see works of art from their country's civilisation," said Abdel Halim Nureddin, a former head of Egypt's antiquities authority."
"A number of the world's most famous museums are clinging on to collections of priceless Egyptian antiquities from the time of the Pharoahs, many of them acquired during British colonial rule.
The Rosetta Stone, famous for helping the understanding of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics by showing the same information in three different scripts, has been on display at the British Museum since soon after its 1799 discovery.
Cairo wants that back and is also seeking the return from Berlin of the 34-centuries-old bust of Queen Nefertiti that was discovered on the banks of the Nile.
Other artefacts that Egypt would like to regain include the Dendera Zodiac from the Louvre, a bust of pyramid builder Ankhaf from the Boston Museum of Fine Art, and a statue of architect Hemiunu, currently in the Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim, Germany."
Lets go through our museums too and give it back.
Of course i want our maori taonga to go back to the maori people too. Maori are still here - just like Egyptians. We can look after our own treasures, we did it for quite a while before being overwhelmed by colonisation. What a sad fate for these living taonga - to be shut away. Away from people who love them, to be examined and tested. It is not right.
Once again I say - can you not hear their voices crying to go home?
Now Egypt want some other treasures back too - and can you blame them? Who said the colonising countries could come in and strip and steal the ancient treasures. No one! But while victors make the rules the wheel keeps turning and often those on the bottom end up on the top.
"Many relics from ancient Egypt remain in foreign museums and Cairo is struggling to persuade other countries to send them back, like France which agreed to return a set of 3,000-year-old wall painting fragments.
"It is the Egyptian people's right to see works of art from their country's civilisation," said Abdel Halim Nureddin, a former head of Egypt's antiquities authority."
"A number of the world's most famous museums are clinging on to collections of priceless Egyptian antiquities from the time of the Pharoahs, many of them acquired during British colonial rule.
The Rosetta Stone, famous for helping the understanding of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics by showing the same information in three different scripts, has been on display at the British Museum since soon after its 1799 discovery.
Cairo wants that back and is also seeking the return from Berlin of the 34-centuries-old bust of Queen Nefertiti that was discovered on the banks of the Nile.
Other artefacts that Egypt would like to regain include the Dendera Zodiac from the Louvre, a bust of pyramid builder Ankhaf from the Boston Museum of Fine Art, and a statue of architect Hemiunu, currently in the Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim, Germany."
Lets go through our museums too and give it back.
Of course i want our maori taonga to go back to the maori people too. Maori are still here - just like Egyptians. We can look after our own treasures, we did it for quite a while before being overwhelmed by colonisation. What a sad fate for these living taonga - to be shut away. Away from people who love them, to be examined and tested. It is not right.
Once again I say - can you not hear their voices crying to go home?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
taku arohanui ki a koe
Today is my son Kahu's 2nd birthday. We were aiming for a water birth, at home and ended up going by ambulance for an emergency c-section. He came out at 4.44kgs.
taku arohanui ki a koe
taku arohanui ki a koe
Saturday, October 10, 2009
the amazon up for mining, forestry, and dams! Peruvian Indians join together to fight
Achuar elders in Washintsa, Peru.
It is amazing how people can work together for a common good. Peruvian indigenous indians have joined forces to fight off the likely sale of a large chunk of the Amazon.
"For the first time isolated indigenous groups are uniting to fight the Government’s plans to auction off 75 per cent of the Amazon — which accounts for nearly two thirds of the country’s territory — to oil, gas and mining companies.
They oppose 11 decrees issued by President García, under special legislative powers granted to him by the Peruvian Congress, to enact a free trade agreement with the US. These would allow companies to bypass indigenous communities to obtain permits for exploration and extraction of natural resources, logging and the building of hydroelectric dams.
Indigenous leaders say that the laws will affect more than 50 Amazonian nations representing hundreds of thousands of Indians."
“If an oil company tries to come here, we will block its path and block the rivers. We will not let them in and we will take strong action,” Jempe Wasum Kukush, a local leader, said. Another, Tayajin Shuwi Peas, warns: “We are not scared and we will fight to the death over this.”
Adversity binds people together and these courageous people are saying no more and they are also taking action. Some have been killed but these indigenous people are fighting for their homes, their families and their lives and there is no second place for them.
Maori don't live in our national parks. But if our parks are abused in the way that the amazon might be, then isn't it the same result? For maori and these peruvian indians?
We must also fight the abuse of whoever is trying to destroy our whenua.
Footnote - Peru has 13% of the total amazon within it's national borders.
Request for funding for PWDs in Afghanistan? Is it a phish or true?
Is this fake or true? In my inbox.
"Request for funding for PWDs in Afghanistan?"
One of the sad things about wanting to help other people is that there are often other people in the way. And when we also add in the cheats and liars - well it's hard to know who is real and who is false and therefore if i can't tell the truth from the false - I'd better just do nothing. Better safe than sorry. And real organisations are lost in the murk of the fakes. And i think that is sad.
So this is how I try to tell the difference
"Dear Sir/Madam:
Got to have a name here otherwise it seems like a phish
I am sending this email form Development and Ability Organization (DAO)which was formerly Afghan Disabled Union (ADU) working for persons with disabilities in Afghanistan since 2004.
This seems true so what happens when we google them - a surprise!
Maybe this isn't a phish
DAO's activities are as follows:
1- Advocacy and rights awareness training for PWDs.
2. Leadership and Management training workshops for PWDs.
3.Employment support for PWDs.
4. Afghan Youth Campaign against landmines.
What is a PWD? I think it stands for Person With Disability
In future if fund is available DAO is very much keen to start Vocational trainings such is Computer trainings for male and female,Mobile repairing course for PWDs, Tailoring andEmbroidery for female disabled.
I'd like to support these activities - it's a lot better than our usual support - you know SAS, remote drones and collateral damage.
I would like to request you if there is any funding possibility for funding the above mentioned activities or if you know some others funding organizations please let us know.
In other words mode of funding will be through western union to our financial department in the U.K. Get back to us if you are interested in helping those in need.
This is different from the usual 'send us money now' approach
Kind regards,
This is a very good signoff and once again different from the usual used on phish's
Bismillah Khan "Safi"
Chief Admin/finace officer DAO
dunion_jal@chatdd.com
So is this a real request or is it a phish set up to scam money?
I don't know but i might just email and if it isn't I might add some thoughts on how they could create a more effective email to source funding.
If they are real, and the organisation seems to be, then finding funding to help the many disabled in afghanistan is something i would support.
The scammers have made the water very murky with all their phishing. It is very hard to sort the true from the false. i hope this is true and i hope that any money they get is used to support the afghan people - they have suffered so much.
"Request for funding for PWDs in Afghanistan?"
One of the sad things about wanting to help other people is that there are often other people in the way. And when we also add in the cheats and liars - well it's hard to know who is real and who is false and therefore if i can't tell the truth from the false - I'd better just do nothing. Better safe than sorry. And real organisations are lost in the murk of the fakes. And i think that is sad.
So this is how I try to tell the difference
"Dear Sir/Madam:
Got to have a name here otherwise it seems like a phish
I am sending this email form Development and Ability Organization (DAO)which was formerly Afghan Disabled Union (ADU) working for persons with disabilities in Afghanistan since 2004.
This seems true so what happens when we google them - a surprise!
Maybe this isn't a phish
DAO's activities are as follows:
1- Advocacy and rights awareness training for PWDs.
2. Leadership and Management training workshops for PWDs.
3.Employment support for PWDs.
4. Afghan Youth Campaign against landmines.
What is a PWD? I think it stands for Person With Disability
In future if fund is available DAO is very much keen to start Vocational trainings such is Computer trainings for male and female,Mobile repairing course for PWDs, Tailoring andEmbroidery for female disabled.
I'd like to support these activities - it's a lot better than our usual support - you know SAS, remote drones and collateral damage.
I would like to request you if there is any funding possibility for funding the above mentioned activities or if you know some others funding organizations please let us know.
In other words mode of funding will be through western union to our financial department in the U.K. Get back to us if you are interested in helping those in need.
This is different from the usual 'send us money now' approach
Kind regards,
This is a very good signoff and once again different from the usual used on phish's
Bismillah Khan "Safi"
Chief Admin/finace officer DAO
dunion_jal@chatdd.com
So is this a real request or is it a phish set up to scam money?
I don't know but i might just email and if it isn't I might add some thoughts on how they could create a more effective email to source funding.
If they are real, and the organisation seems to be, then finding funding to help the many disabled in afghanistan is something i would support.
The scammers have made the water very murky with all their phishing. It is very hard to sort the true from the false. i hope this is true and i hope that any money they get is used to support the afghan people - they have suffered so much.
Peace prize for Obama - a gift for the fundamentalist right wing nuts
Poor Obama - he is either the antichrist or they are trying to set him up as the antichrist.
I think the right wingers have got to the nobel committee and they have got the peace prize sorted for him.
For those fundamentalist right wing nutcases this will be devestating evidence that all of their worse nightmares are true and that we are in the 'end times' and that obama is the antichrist and that the shit is about to hit the fan bigtime.
Watch the reaction - it will be brutal.
I think the right wingers have got to the nobel committee and they have got the peace prize sorted for him.
For those fundamentalist right wing nutcases this will be devestating evidence that all of their worse nightmares are true and that we are in the 'end times' and that obama is the antichrist and that the shit is about to hit the fan bigtime.
Watch the reaction - it will be brutal.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Hurunui DamBusters - this river needs you!
If you care about our rivers and are able to attend. My voice and thoughts are with you.
Good website here with t-shirts
TVNZ = despicable
I cannot get my head around this. I hope they find the little girl soon.
"Television New Zealand introduced Sensing Murder medium Deb Webber to the family of Aisling Symes just two days after the little girl had gone missing."
2 DAYS!
"Asked what the public news organisation was doing introducing a TV medium to the family two days after they had lost a child, TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston said:
"You know what they are doing? They are being human. They have a family out there that are desperate to find their child."
"We are just being human by ringing a family friend and asking if they want the medium's contact details. After the family friend said they would be interested in talking to her all we did was facilitate the exchange of contact details."
Preying on fears and the total terror of losing a child is utterly despicable.
Footnote - if you want to complain go here
Thanks richard hurst - kiwiblog comments
"Television New Zealand introduced Sensing Murder medium Deb Webber to the family of Aisling Symes just two days after the little girl had gone missing."
2 DAYS!
"Asked what the public news organisation was doing introducing a TV medium to the family two days after they had lost a child, TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston said:
"You know what they are doing? They are being human. They have a family out there that are desperate to find their child."
"We are just being human by ringing a family friend and asking if they want the medium's contact details. After the family friend said they would be interested in talking to her all we did was facilitate the exchange of contact details."
Preying on fears and the total terror of losing a child is utterly despicable.
Footnote - if you want to complain go here
Thanks richard hurst - kiwiblog comments
tipping points for runaway climate change - good link
A fantastic animation describing the current climate change concerns and tipping points. And what to do about them. How long are we going to keep ignoring this? Depends on who is stronger, the people who believe in sustainability and reduced consumption or the greedy fatcats who just care about themselves and are so shortsighted that they will kill us all for some dollars.
It is time for some big changes.
Hat tip - rOb at The Standard
It is time for some big changes.
Hat tip - rOb at The Standard
8 metre tall maori warrior statue for Ngaruawahia
I love it. We have all sorts of statues around this country mainly to so called leaders of this country but there are few maori statues and of all the big kiwis and other oversized entry ways to towns - why not have a maori warrior.
This is a much better way to spend TPK money instead of rugby - lets put mermorials and statues and whatever up all over the country to celebrate our unique indigenous maori culture.
"Ngaruawahia in Waikato is poised to join the long list of New Zealand centres with a big statue – a massive bronze Maori warrior is proposed for the junction of the Waikato and Waipa rivers.
The warrior would be one of the biggest bronze statues in the Western world, and is part of an ambitious plan to make Ngaruawahia, the home of the Maori King, the cultural heartland of New Zealand.
The warrior would be made over an estimated two years by Wellington sculptor Denis Hall.
"We are talking about a massive figure of a man in a crouched position, the biggest human icon figure in Australasia," he said. "The Maori warrior already embodies the way of our culture and our people to the world. While it will be Ngaruawahia's icon, portraying him in a monument of this size will arouse Kiwi pride in a way that no other icon has."
Ngaruawahia community board chairman Bryce Sherson, who developed the concept, said the warrior made perfect sense for the township.
"This is the centre of the celebration of Maoridom and I would have thought that it would be blatantly obvious what is iconic to this town. We have a lot of history here; this was supposed to be the capital of New Zealand."
This is a much better way to spend TPK money instead of rugby - lets put mermorials and statues and whatever up all over the country to celebrate our unique indigenous maori culture.
"Ngaruawahia in Waikato is poised to join the long list of New Zealand centres with a big statue – a massive bronze Maori warrior is proposed for the junction of the Waikato and Waipa rivers.
The warrior would be one of the biggest bronze statues in the Western world, and is part of an ambitious plan to make Ngaruawahia, the home of the Maori King, the cultural heartland of New Zealand.
The warrior would be made over an estimated two years by Wellington sculptor Denis Hall.
"We are talking about a massive figure of a man in a crouched position, the biggest human icon figure in Australasia," he said. "The Maori warrior already embodies the way of our culture and our people to the world. While it will be Ngaruawahia's icon, portraying him in a monument of this size will arouse Kiwi pride in a way that no other icon has."
Ngaruawahia community board chairman Bryce Sherson, who developed the concept, said the warrior made perfect sense for the township.
"This is the centre of the celebration of Maoridom and I would have thought that it would be blatantly obvious what is iconic to this town. We have a lot of history here; this was supposed to be the capital of New Zealand."
It all sounds so good but wait...
Turangawaewae Marae, on the northern bank of the Waikato River, is the official residence of the reigning Maori King, Tuheitia Paki.
Ngaruawahia's representative on the council and Tainui woman Moera Solomon said iwi were disappointed they had not been consulted.
Not consult with the tangata whenua - are you crazy?
Why haven't you had proper discussions with maori?
Why haven't you had proper discussions with maori?
What is wrong with your head that such a great idea could be derailed because you decided that tangata whenua didn't need to be consulted?
Luckily maori are forgiving but how insulting not to discuss.
"The plan was taken to the public and displayed in the library but it has never been brought to Tainui. We are not the general public, we are tangata whenua [local people] and it is our tikanga [culture]. We need as a tribe to have a discussion."
Mrs Solomon said though Tainui was not attempting to derail the plan, time was needed for debate and consultation with Maori. "Personally I like the idea but we must make decisions together. Ngaruawahia is a little village and the people are not wealthy. The idea would need to be captured nationally."
I hope that discussions are held as a matter of urgency with tangata whenua. Get pita Sharples in there as well as TPK, get the money and put the warrior up. But it must be driven by maori. It is not for pakeha to appropriate maori images without maori permission - no matter how good their motivation might be.
Mrs Solomon said though Tainui was not attempting to derail the plan, time was needed for debate and consultation with Maori. "Personally I like the idea but we must make decisions together. Ngaruawahia is a little village and the people are not wealthy. The idea would need to be captured nationally."
I hope that discussions are held as a matter of urgency with tangata whenua. Get pita Sharples in there as well as TPK, get the money and put the warrior up. But it must be driven by maori. It is not for pakeha to appropriate maori images without maori permission - no matter how good their motivation might be.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
racist TV3 skit
I talked about this here.
I watched the skit and it was as bad as anything I have ever seen on TV.
"Maori TV has accused its rival TV3 of racism after it broadcast an item lampooning what its coverage of the Rugby World Cup would look like.
The TV3 Nightline parody showed an All Black diving for the winning try in the final, with the broadcast interrupted by a public service announcement, saying: "Pakeha. It's time to talk. There's a few things we need to sort out and you won't get to see the rest of the game until we have."
The reporter for Tuesday night's item was Ali Ikram, who is well-known for his satirical streak.
But Maori TV spokeswoman Sonya Haggie said it was "basically racist" and it would be laying a complaint with the Broadcasting Standards Authority. The item also showed a match referee calling on the video referee, which turned out to be the Waitangi Tribunal, with Ikram warning "this could take a while". There was also a "compulsory haka" for which the French did the can-can.
Ikram ridiculed Maori TV presenter Julian Wilcox, saying he presented virtually every show on the channel.
"It is not acceptable. It is not news and hardly entertainment," said Ms Haggie.
TV3 received a number of complaints, including from its own staff, including Campbell Live reporter Mihingarangi Forbes who told the Herald it was disappointing and embarrassing.
"Given that it was supposed to be satire I didn't find anything funny about it at all," she said. "I think Ali [Ikram] would have hoped it was funny and clever but unfortunately for him and everyone else it was not."
Go here to watch
I watched the skit and it was as bad as anything I have ever seen on TV.
"Maori TV has accused its rival TV3 of racism after it broadcast an item lampooning what its coverage of the Rugby World Cup would look like.
The TV3 Nightline parody showed an All Black diving for the winning try in the final, with the broadcast interrupted by a public service announcement, saying: "Pakeha. It's time to talk. There's a few things we need to sort out and you won't get to see the rest of the game until we have."
The reporter for Tuesday night's item was Ali Ikram, who is well-known for his satirical streak.
But Maori TV spokeswoman Sonya Haggie said it was "basically racist" and it would be laying a complaint with the Broadcasting Standards Authority. The item also showed a match referee calling on the video referee, which turned out to be the Waitangi Tribunal, with Ikram warning "this could take a while". There was also a "compulsory haka" for which the French did the can-can.
Ikram ridiculed Maori TV presenter Julian Wilcox, saying he presented virtually every show on the channel.
"It is not acceptable. It is not news and hardly entertainment," said Ms Haggie.
TV3 received a number of complaints, including from its own staff, including Campbell Live reporter Mihingarangi Forbes who told the Herald it was disappointing and embarrassing.
"Given that it was supposed to be satire I didn't find anything funny about it at all," she said. "I think Ali [Ikram] would have hoped it was funny and clever but unfortunately for him and everyone else it was not."
Go here to watch
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Re-Sisters - worldwide group of women against mining
A great series of video from Friends of the Earth
this one is just a taste of the testamony from these brave women.
Re-Sisters - voices of women against mining - go check out their you-tube group - there are video from everywhere - not here yet though.
These indigenous people have not yet been cut from their land and communities like many maori. They still live in and around their sacred forests and rivers. Who lives in our sacred forests. No one and why is that? Because the powers that be want to keep everything nice for them so they put the nice land that was stolen, into trust for all people.
And what do they do then? Mine it for money? Who wins there? International moneymen.
Give it back to who it was stolen from? Who wins then? EVERYONE.
Hat tip - Intercontinental Cry
this one is just a taste of the testamony from these brave women.
Re-Sisters - voices of women against mining - go check out their you-tube group - there are video from everywhere - not here yet though.
These indigenous people have not yet been cut from their land and communities like many maori. They still live in and around their sacred forests and rivers. Who lives in our sacred forests. No one and why is that? Because the powers that be want to keep everything nice for them so they put the nice land that was stolen, into trust for all people.
And what do they do then? Mine it for money? Who wins there? International moneymen.
Give it back to who it was stolen from? Who wins then? EVERYONE.
Hat tip - Intercontinental Cry
Kura Reo Kāi Tahu 2010
Fantastic event
Kura Reo Kāi Tahu 2010
This reo wānaka on Kāi Tahu history and dialect, whakataukī/whakatauākī and kīwaha, tikaka and kawa, creative writing and composition, and kapa haka.
Each morning there will be a tikaka and kawa session with Kāi Tahu kaumātua, which will be a total immersion setting. Afternoons are set aside for classes specifically about te reo, where there are two streams – bi-lingual and total immersion.
There are classes for tamariki. Taina (0-4 year olds) and Tuākana (5-14 year olds). Please note that the child/ren must be able to converse in te reo Māori at all times, if not then your child/ren will not be able to attend this reo wānaka.
Āhea: 17 – 22 January 2010
Ki hea: Te Hapa o Niu Tireni Marae, Arowhenua
There are limited spaces for each class, this is due to teaching space and accommodation available at the marae.
Reo Rua: 20
Reo Rumaki: 35
Taina (Tamariki): 10
Tuākana (Tamariki): 25
For more information email whetu.moataane@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
Tau ke Whetū and the team
Kura Reo Kāi Tahu 2010
This reo wānaka on Kāi Tahu history and dialect, whakataukī/whakatauākī and kīwaha, tikaka and kawa, creative writing and composition, and kapa haka.
Each morning there will be a tikaka and kawa session with Kāi Tahu kaumātua, which will be a total immersion setting. Afternoons are set aside for classes specifically about te reo, where there are two streams – bi-lingual and total immersion.
There are classes for tamariki. Taina (0-4 year olds) and Tuākana (5-14 year olds). Please note that the child/ren must be able to converse in te reo Māori at all times, if not then your child/ren will not be able to attend this reo wānaka.
Āhea: 17 – 22 January 2010
Ki hea: Te Hapa o Niu Tireni Marae, Arowhenua
There are limited spaces for each class, this is due to teaching space and accommodation available at the marae.
Reo Rua: 20
Reo Rumaki: 35
Taina (Tamariki): 10
Tuākana (Tamariki): 25
For more information email whetu.moataane@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
Tau ke Whetū and the team
transformational experiences - get maori involved
Listen to the expert.
"The tourism industry has its back against a wall and needs to question its core thinking to survive, a visiting expert says.
Strategic tourism consultancy Desti-Corp founder Anna Pollock said the traditional interpretation of seasonal travel trends was superficial and no longer worked.
Having worked in tourism for 30 years, Ms Pollock said the change the industry was facing was bigger than the economic downturn. It was more about a shift in philosophies than economic patterns.
"We are changing between two mindsets of how to exist and operate on this planet."
Countries such as Finland were using their design capabilities to create a tourism experience which amplified the natural environment.
As the dated industrial viewpoint faded and a more social and community focused imperative replaced it, visitors were already looking for "transformative" experiences.
New Zealand had positioned itself well to deliver that, but not without some work."
Transformative experiences - that is what encorporating maoritanga, in a meaningful way, will bring. We need to create journeys for our visitors, we need to create context and connection.
In my experience, visitors want to know, not just what it is, but what it means and how it relates to them. And it can be done quite easily because it is a mindset change.
It is time to rethink our whole strategy - 100% pure is a line that will only lead to disappointment because the expectations are set too high. No one, anywhere, is 100% pure, no one in this world can be.
Ngai Tahu have the perfect opportunity to really get a good start around ecocultural tourism. We have the land, we have the sea and the rivers and we have the people.
"The tourism industry has its back against a wall and needs to question its core thinking to survive, a visiting expert says.
Strategic tourism consultancy Desti-Corp founder Anna Pollock said the traditional interpretation of seasonal travel trends was superficial and no longer worked.
Having worked in tourism for 30 years, Ms Pollock said the change the industry was facing was bigger than the economic downturn. It was more about a shift in philosophies than economic patterns.
"We are changing between two mindsets of how to exist and operate on this planet."
Countries such as Finland were using their design capabilities to create a tourism experience which amplified the natural environment.
As the dated industrial viewpoint faded and a more social and community focused imperative replaced it, visitors were already looking for "transformative" experiences.
New Zealand had positioned itself well to deliver that, but not without some work."
Transformative experiences - that is what encorporating maoritanga, in a meaningful way, will bring. We need to create journeys for our visitors, we need to create context and connection.
In my experience, visitors want to know, not just what it is, but what it means and how it relates to them. And it can be done quite easily because it is a mindset change.
It is time to rethink our whole strategy - 100% pure is a line that will only lead to disappointment because the expectations are set too high. No one, anywhere, is 100% pure, no one in this world can be.
Ngai Tahu have the perfect opportunity to really get a good start around ecocultural tourism. We have the land, we have the sea and the rivers and we have the people.
community spirit in adversity
A few wee things that have caught my eye.
First my heart goes out to the parents looking for their lost little girl in Henderson. It is every parents nightmare and with my son turning 2 in a day or so I know just how fast the wee ones can move. I hope for a happy outcome and that no foul play was involved.
The searching by volunteers for the wee girl, and the community spirit that that shows is an example of the way it could be, all the time. And that community spirit was shown after the big snow too. 600 people trapped and they were all looked after by marae and community groups. The local 4 wheel drive club members went out and bought the people back in their trucks. They didn't ask for money they did it because they cared.
In Samoa the shock is wearing off and the reality is setting in. How can someone lose 14 members of their family and go on. After the initial action drops is often the most dangerous time. Yes aid is coming in and people are being fed and I thank everyone from key on down for the support they have given, but now the healing has to begin. And the diseases and pollution must be given healing energy. The fragile state of the people, many of who will have post traumatic stress disorder and really be questioning themselves with guilt and why must be addressed. It is not enough to just support the infrastructure the people are the most important thing.
Did you hear anything more absurd than the line Samoa and American Samoa. Colonisation is still here and it is disgusting.
I caught the end of nightline last night and watched Ali Ikram's pisstake on likely maori TV rugby commentary coverage. Can't find a copy of it online but I'll keep looking because it was a good example of a shocking attitude - all wrapped up in apparent humour. Hey Ali - you should be more respectful of maori after all you are living here, aren't you?
Footnote - here it is
First my heart goes out to the parents looking for their lost little girl in Henderson. It is every parents nightmare and with my son turning 2 in a day or so I know just how fast the wee ones can move. I hope for a happy outcome and that no foul play was involved.
The searching by volunteers for the wee girl, and the community spirit that that shows is an example of the way it could be, all the time. And that community spirit was shown after the big snow too. 600 people trapped and they were all looked after by marae and community groups. The local 4 wheel drive club members went out and bought the people back in their trucks. They didn't ask for money they did it because they cared.
In Samoa the shock is wearing off and the reality is setting in. How can someone lose 14 members of their family and go on. After the initial action drops is often the most dangerous time. Yes aid is coming in and people are being fed and I thank everyone from key on down for the support they have given, but now the healing has to begin. And the diseases and pollution must be given healing energy. The fragile state of the people, many of who will have post traumatic stress disorder and really be questioning themselves with guilt and why must be addressed. It is not enough to just support the infrastructure the people are the most important thing.
Did you hear anything more absurd than the line Samoa and American Samoa. Colonisation is still here and it is disgusting.
I caught the end of nightline last night and watched Ali Ikram's pisstake on likely maori TV rugby commentary coverage. Can't find a copy of it online but I'll keep looking because it was a good example of a shocking attitude - all wrapped up in apparent humour. Hey Ali - you should be more respectful of maori after all you are living here, aren't you?
Footnote - here it is
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
smithyman 199
199
Questions, not firm answers.
A common ground, of figures in fog, shifting
shapes, voices which aren't quite heard.
Someone getting in on an act? A disciple
or disciple of disciple? doesn't
come clear.
What does seem clearer:
apparently nobody talked this time round
about nakahi.
Questions, not firm answers.
A common ground, of figures in fog, shifting
shapes, voices which aren't quite heard.
Someone getting in on an act? A disciple
or disciple of disciple? doesn't
come clear.
What does seem clearer:
apparently nobody talked this time round
about nakahi.
crafars bite the kumera
Crafar Farms in recievership. Good riddence to bad rubbish and think again crafars if you believe you can run and hide.
"The nation's biggest family-owned group of dairy farms, Crafar Farms, was today placed in receivership.
The receivers are working with the Crafar family and its managers to assess the situation and address financial and operational problems, said Michael Stiassny, appointed receiver with Brendon Gibson of KordaMentha.
"We will be doing our best to ensure it is business as usual for the farms as we work to assess the situation," Mr Stiassny said, adding that the priority was to ensure the welfare of all livestock and that the receivers would be visiting all the properties involved over the next 24 hours.
He said they were getting co-operation from the Crafars and had spoken with Allan Crafar: “We are holding discussions. I think it's fair to say at the moment we have common interest around the welfare of animals on the farm and workers on the farm and therefore have co-operation.”
Mr Stiassny said Mr Crafar was of the view that “there is not significant expenditure necessary to ensure the welfare of the animals or environment.”
Why would you listen or believe anything he says - look at his track record, look at the convictions - what else do you need as evidence that he is a liar at worse and an idiot at best.
"The Crafar family, based in the Bay Of Plenty at Reporoa, has grown from its original property to 22 farms with 20,000 milking cows, 10,000 other stock, 200 staff and around $200 million of debt with Westpac, Rabobank and PGG Wrightson Finance. "
$200 million FFS - it's not what you know it is who you know.
"The nation's biggest family-owned group of dairy farms, Crafar Farms, was today placed in receivership.
The receivers are working with the Crafar family and its managers to assess the situation and address financial and operational problems, said Michael Stiassny, appointed receiver with Brendon Gibson of KordaMentha.
"We will be doing our best to ensure it is business as usual for the farms as we work to assess the situation," Mr Stiassny said, adding that the priority was to ensure the welfare of all livestock and that the receivers would be visiting all the properties involved over the next 24 hours.
He said they were getting co-operation from the Crafars and had spoken with Allan Crafar: “We are holding discussions. I think it's fair to say at the moment we have common interest around the welfare of animals on the farm and workers on the farm and therefore have co-operation.”
Mr Stiassny said Mr Crafar was of the view that “there is not significant expenditure necessary to ensure the welfare of the animals or environment.”
Why would you listen or believe anything he says - look at his track record, look at the convictions - what else do you need as evidence that he is a liar at worse and an idiot at best.
"The Crafar family, based in the Bay Of Plenty at Reporoa, has grown from its original property to 22 farms with 20,000 milking cows, 10,000 other stock, 200 staff and around $200 million of debt with Westpac, Rabobank and PGG Wrightson Finance. "
$200 million FFS - it's not what you know it is who you know.
I'd like to bring back public stocks and shaming for this lot. And for all their greedy lenders and supporters.
brownlee committed
Good editorial from the ODT. From the bottom up.
"As Southland Mayor Frana Cardno put it when asked if drilling should be allowed in Fiordland: "No. Definitely not." "
"The outcry over what at this stage is simply an attempt to initiate a discussion on whether some low-grade "conservation land", were it found to be the source of great potential wealth, could be freed up, is over the top."
No it is not over the top at all - it is a concerned call from people.
"But given the explicit moves the Government has made to date - including with its Emissions Trading Scheme, its initiatives to loosen up the Resource Management Act, and the establishment of the dubiously named Environmental Protection Authority (allowing the Government to take a more active role in managing the country's natural resources) - it cannot be surprised. Nor should Mr Brownlee feign umbrage at the entirely predictable reaction, however improbable exploration in Fiordland might be."
You have just answered the question of why people are concerned.
"All development and much agriculture is, in the end, a compromise between creating wealth and minimising environmental effects: the economic history of this country with its wealth built on primary production illustrates that precisely.
But this does not mean the issue should proceed without rigorous and candid debate - whether on balancing the benefits of unconstrained dairy conversions with the detrimental effects on river water quality in Southland; the value of mining lignite in South Otago to manufacture urea with the costs of the associated carbon emissions; or indeed the exploration of a World Heritage Site, Fiordland, for petroleum against the economic and cultural benefits this pristine place of great beauty lends the country. "
The debate is centred around which can earn more money - agriculture, mining or tourism. my point is that there are bigger issues to consider than money, such as future sustainability, water quality, mono-agriculture, greed and the selling off of our land to overseas interests. hell the land should be given back to maori from where it was stolen.
Brownlee says, "that his Government was going to be "far more pragmatic and supportive" than the last towards "exploration and mining activity", and that he, as Minister for Energy and Resources, was "committed to unlocking New Zealand's mineral potential for the benefit of New Zealanders", and further that "reasonable access to the mineral estate in Crown-owned land, particularly conservation land, is a key issue". "
Get that - brownlee is COMMITTED to unlocking NZ mineral wealth. COMMITTED - deals have been done and this glove puppet has already COMMITTED himself to his selfish, greedy cause.
"Minister of Energy and Resources Gerry Brownlee has described reaction to a Government paper proposing a "mineral stocktake" of protected conservation land as "hysterical".
To an extent he is correct, although the equivocal responses he and Conservation Minister Tim Groser have thus far given to questions on precisely what, in the conservation estate, would be unequivocally off limits do little to lessen the "hysteria".
It could be argued the act of assessing the petroleum potential of the Waitutu forest in the Fiordland National Park, while at the same time reviewing schedule four of the Crown Minerals Act - which bans mining access to New Zealand's highest conservation areas - is not unakin to finding a bunch of needy citizens with of a precise map of the gold bullion vaults in Fort Knox, along with the security codes to gain entry.
They may not ever use them but some people may be concerned that one day, and under certain circumstances, the temptation might just prove too great. "
And up to the start of the editorial. The reaction has not been hysterical at all. And the temptation has already proved to much for brownlee and his minions.
"As Southland Mayor Frana Cardno put it when asked if drilling should be allowed in Fiordland: "No. Definitely not." "
"The outcry over what at this stage is simply an attempt to initiate a discussion on whether some low-grade "conservation land", were it found to be the source of great potential wealth, could be freed up, is over the top."
No it is not over the top at all - it is a concerned call from people.
"But given the explicit moves the Government has made to date - including with its Emissions Trading Scheme, its initiatives to loosen up the Resource Management Act, and the establishment of the dubiously named Environmental Protection Authority (allowing the Government to take a more active role in managing the country's natural resources) - it cannot be surprised. Nor should Mr Brownlee feign umbrage at the entirely predictable reaction, however improbable exploration in Fiordland might be."
You have just answered the question of why people are concerned.
"All development and much agriculture is, in the end, a compromise between creating wealth and minimising environmental effects: the economic history of this country with its wealth built on primary production illustrates that precisely.
But this does not mean the issue should proceed without rigorous and candid debate - whether on balancing the benefits of unconstrained dairy conversions with the detrimental effects on river water quality in Southland; the value of mining lignite in South Otago to manufacture urea with the costs of the associated carbon emissions; or indeed the exploration of a World Heritage Site, Fiordland, for petroleum against the economic and cultural benefits this pristine place of great beauty lends the country. "
The debate is centred around which can earn more money - agriculture, mining or tourism. my point is that there are bigger issues to consider than money, such as future sustainability, water quality, mono-agriculture, greed and the selling off of our land to overseas interests. hell the land should be given back to maori from where it was stolen.
Brownlee says, "that his Government was going to be "far more pragmatic and supportive" than the last towards "exploration and mining activity", and that he, as Minister for Energy and Resources, was "committed to unlocking New Zealand's mineral potential for the benefit of New Zealanders", and further that "reasonable access to the mineral estate in Crown-owned land, particularly conservation land, is a key issue". "
Get that - brownlee is COMMITTED to unlocking NZ mineral wealth. COMMITTED - deals have been done and this glove puppet has already COMMITTED himself to his selfish, greedy cause.
"Minister of Energy and Resources Gerry Brownlee has described reaction to a Government paper proposing a "mineral stocktake" of protected conservation land as "hysterical".
To an extent he is correct, although the equivocal responses he and Conservation Minister Tim Groser have thus far given to questions on precisely what, in the conservation estate, would be unequivocally off limits do little to lessen the "hysteria".
It could be argued the act of assessing the petroleum potential of the Waitutu forest in the Fiordland National Park, while at the same time reviewing schedule four of the Crown Minerals Act - which bans mining access to New Zealand's highest conservation areas - is not unakin to finding a bunch of needy citizens with of a precise map of the gold bullion vaults in Fort Knox, along with the security codes to gain entry.
They may not ever use them but some people may be concerned that one day, and under certain circumstances, the temptation might just prove too great. "
And up to the start of the editorial. The reaction has not been hysterical at all. And the temptation has already proved to much for brownlee and his minions.
Monday, October 5, 2009
brownleean fairytale
So we know now where they are setting their sites/sights.
"The Government's stocktake of New Zealand's mineral resources includes investigating reserves in three national parks, which means it is considering mining them, the Green Party says.
But Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Greens are being hysterical and he can't see that happening.
Green's co-leader Metiria Turei said yesterday that she had official information which showed the stocktake included oil reserves in Fiordland National Park and gold and coal in Kahurangi and Paparoa parks."
Can you see the weasel words, "Can't see that happening." That actually means nothing - which just happens to balance out the worth of brownlee.
"They already know what they want and they're preparing to steal it from the public," Ms Turei said.
"Far from not wanting to mine in national parks and only being interested in 'low value' areas, the officials' advice shows they are keen to mine our most precious parks."
Mr Brownlee said: "I think New Zealanders have a right to know what's there and what the possibilities are."
He said he was confident New Zealanders would also say the conservation value of national parks was much higher than any potential mineral wealth.
The problem with this view of brownlee's is that it is not us that will decide. The overseas mining companies and their stooges will be the ones making the money - hardly anyone here except for the payoffs of course. Many will be seduced by greed but we have to take the long view. Not everything is a commodity. Not everything has a dollar value. Not everything is for sale. If we conserve what we have and reduce our needs to a sustainable level we will be making the world better for our mokopuna and their grandchildren. If we waste it all for some pieces of silver we will have shamed our ancestors and ourselves.
"The Government's stocktake of New Zealand's mineral resources includes investigating reserves in three national parks, which means it is considering mining them, the Green Party says.
But Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Greens are being hysterical and he can't see that happening.
Green's co-leader Metiria Turei said yesterday that she had official information which showed the stocktake included oil reserves in Fiordland National Park and gold and coal in Kahurangi and Paparoa parks."
Can you see the weasel words, "Can't see that happening." That actually means nothing - which just happens to balance out the worth of brownlee.
"They already know what they want and they're preparing to steal it from the public," Ms Turei said.
"Far from not wanting to mine in national parks and only being interested in 'low value' areas, the officials' advice shows they are keen to mine our most precious parks."
Mr Brownlee said: "I think New Zealanders have a right to know what's there and what the possibilities are."
He said he was confident New Zealanders would also say the conservation value of national parks was much higher than any potential mineral wealth.
The problem with this view of brownlee's is that it is not us that will decide. The overseas mining companies and their stooges will be the ones making the money - hardly anyone here except for the payoffs of course. Many will be seduced by greed but we have to take the long view. Not everything is a commodity. Not everything has a dollar value. Not everything is for sale. If we conserve what we have and reduce our needs to a sustainable level we will be making the world better for our mokopuna and their grandchildren. If we waste it all for some pieces of silver we will have shamed our ancestors and ourselves.
We all love the beauty and diversity of nature in our place. We are blessed and we need to act like it.
Maori TV bid
I'm not sure about this. While I agree with increasing the profile of maori TV and promoting maori development I am not sure if hosting the free to air TV rights with MaoriTV is the way to go. Especially as that 3 million, whilst a drop in the bucket, could be used elsewhere.
"Maori Television (MTS) put in a $3 million taxpayer-funded bid - reportedly greater than bids by Television New Zealand and TV3 - for the 2011 Rugby World Cup's free-to-air broadcast rights.
Dr Sharples authorised the money to come out of Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry for Maori Development) funds set aside to foster Maori development rather than the $16.5 million given to the channel to fund its operation, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Dr Sharples says, "This bid creates huge opportunities to promote and profile Maori businesses across the spectrum, for example, and new jobs will be created. My Economic Development Task Force is certainly interested."
He did not think coverage was a problem saying MTS reached 90 percent of the country and that was being boosted by increased take up of Freeview. Sub-licensing would also ensure wider pick up.
"MTS also has available time to extend their broadcast hours, and a track record of innovative event programming and strong sports coverage. "
We have lots of challenges and this seems a bit lower on the priority list to me. I am looking forward to hearing what the task force is coming back with... it's been a while since they first got together.
"Maori Television (MTS) put in a $3 million taxpayer-funded bid - reportedly greater than bids by Television New Zealand and TV3 - for the 2011 Rugby World Cup's free-to-air broadcast rights.
Dr Sharples authorised the money to come out of Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry for Maori Development) funds set aside to foster Maori development rather than the $16.5 million given to the channel to fund its operation, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Dr Sharples says, "This bid creates huge opportunities to promote and profile Maori businesses across the spectrum, for example, and new jobs will be created. My Economic Development Task Force is certainly interested."
He did not think coverage was a problem saying MTS reached 90 percent of the country and that was being boosted by increased take up of Freeview. Sub-licensing would also ensure wider pick up.
"MTS also has available time to extend their broadcast hours, and a track record of innovative event programming and strong sports coverage. "
We have lots of challenges and this seems a bit lower on the priority list to me. I am looking forward to hearing what the task force is coming back with... it's been a while since they first got together.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
good kokako news
Great news about the Kokako.
"Ten North Island kokako embarked on their longest flights this week.
After their long journey south, it took less than a minute for the kokako to disappear into the dense bush of Secretary Island in Doubtful Sound on Wednesday."
DOC Te Anau area manager Reg Kemper said it was a historic move, introducing kokako back to the South Island.
Doubtful Sound would soon echo with the kokako's haunting "dawn chorus"."
Good work DOC and all involved.
"Ten North Island kokako embarked on their longest flights this week.
After their long journey south, it took less than a minute for the kokako to disappear into the dense bush of Secretary Island in Doubtful Sound on Wednesday."
DOC Te Anau area manager Reg Kemper said it was a historic move, introducing kokako back to the South Island.
Doubtful Sound would soon echo with the kokako's haunting "dawn chorus"."
Good work DOC and all involved.
Art event from Tame Iti
There are a lot of unanswered questions around the "terror raid" of just about 2 years ago. I agree the raid with the fully kitted out black clad and visored authorities caused terror, but i am not convinced it had anything to do with "terrorism".
Recently supression orders have been issued - when it all comes out there will be many questions that the authorities will have to answer.
In the meantime an art event that I wish i could attend.
"Tuhoe activist Tame Iti will next week launch a Wellington art event inspired by the police raids in October 2007.
The week-long event will showcase work by dozens of New Zealand artists, and will include workshops , films and artist talks, spokeswoman and artist Robyn Kenealy said.
The exhibition would close with an auction on October 17, officiated by veteran political activist John Minto and former Greens MP Nandor Tanzcos.""
"Proceeds from work sold during the exhibition would go to court costs of those arrested during alleged "anti-terror raids" on October 15, 2007, most of whom were still facing trial.
Public outcry followed the police raids at Ruatoki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Similar raids were carried out in Whakatane, Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington.
Police arrested 18 people, including Iti, initially intending to charge some of them using the Terrorism Suppression Act.
However, police amended the charges to ones relating to firearms and drugs, after the Solicitor-General ruled against the newly introduced counter-terrorism laws."
Lots of questions...
Recently supression orders have been issued - when it all comes out there will be many questions that the authorities will have to answer.
In the meantime an art event that I wish i could attend.
"Tuhoe activist Tame Iti will next week launch a Wellington art event inspired by the police raids in October 2007.
The week-long event will showcase work by dozens of New Zealand artists, and will include workshops , films and artist talks, spokeswoman and artist Robyn Kenealy said.
The exhibition would close with an auction on October 17, officiated by veteran political activist John Minto and former Greens MP Nandor Tanzcos.""
"Proceeds from work sold during the exhibition would go to court costs of those arrested during alleged "anti-terror raids" on October 15, 2007, most of whom were still facing trial.
Public outcry followed the police raids at Ruatoki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Similar raids were carried out in Whakatane, Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington.
Police arrested 18 people, including Iti, initially intending to charge some of them using the Terrorism Suppression Act.
However, police amended the charges to ones relating to firearms and drugs, after the Solicitor-General ruled against the newly introduced counter-terrorism laws."
Lots of questions...
Friday, October 2, 2009
Inspiring statement from AIM - good advice for us too
I fully agree and endorse the views expressed in this statement and further i would ask that our government consider what it means about our country that we still don't support this UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
"The Grand Governing Council of the American Indian Movement (AIM) has released the following statement in response to President Obama's recent address before the United Nations General Assembly in New York."
"In President Obama's speech to the United Nations on September 23, 2009, he spoke of a 'new direction'. Two years ago, four solitary nations voted against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, they were Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. The Australian government has since reversed its vote and now support the international human rights standard toward Indigenous people. The American Indian Movement asks the question of the Obama Administration: Will his administration recognize and support the international standard approved by the vast majority of the world's nations?
The United Nations' 64th year brings world leaders together to our sacred homeland to discuss the effects of the world's problems to humankind. The American Indian Movement respects the right of all world leaders to speak. We support the right of Moammar Al Gathafi, leader of Libya. We respect the right of Evo Moralas, President of Bolivia. We respect the right of Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. We respect the right of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran. We respect the right to speak at the United Nations of all the world leaders visiting our homeland.
We often talk in terms of the first world, or the west; or the second world, the east; or the third world, or the non-aligned nations. Another important dimension to this concept is the fourth world of natural and Indigenous people. Peoples whose populations oftentimes go beyond geo-political boundaries. While these struggles have been going on for hundreds of years, the international community has, for the most part, ignored this reality. One of the greatest crimes against humanity occurred right here in the United States of America. Support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People is a start to right this great wrong."
"The Grand Governing Council of the American Indian Movement (AIM) has released the following statement in response to President Obama's recent address before the United Nations General Assembly in New York."
"In President Obama's speech to the United Nations on September 23, 2009, he spoke of a 'new direction'. Two years ago, four solitary nations voted against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, they were Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. The Australian government has since reversed its vote and now support the international human rights standard toward Indigenous people. The American Indian Movement asks the question of the Obama Administration: Will his administration recognize and support the international standard approved by the vast majority of the world's nations?
The United Nations' 64th year brings world leaders together to our sacred homeland to discuss the effects of the world's problems to humankind. The American Indian Movement respects the right of all world leaders to speak. We support the right of Moammar Al Gathafi, leader of Libya. We respect the right of Evo Moralas, President of Bolivia. We respect the right of Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. We respect the right of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran. We respect the right to speak at the United Nations of all the world leaders visiting our homeland.
We often talk in terms of the first world, or the west; or the second world, the east; or the third world, or the non-aligned nations. Another important dimension to this concept is the fourth world of natural and Indigenous people. Peoples whose populations oftentimes go beyond geo-political boundaries. While these struggles have been going on for hundreds of years, the international community has, for the most part, ignored this reality. One of the greatest crimes against humanity occurred right here in the United States of America. Support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People is a start to right this great wrong."
This is a fantastic statement that i hope moves the US and the world to change.
Hat tip - Native Legal Update
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Great link - No Right Turn: Disaster tourism
I think idiot/savant has hit the nail on the head here - can you think of any good reason for key to go to samoa other than pr?
No Right Turn: Disaster tourism
No Right Turn: Disaster tourism
get ready alan i'm sending the inspection team around
How bad is it?
The Minister of Agriculture david carter rang alan crafar to let him know that MAF were going to investigate him and his so called farms. That's right the minister rang the person his ministry was about to investigate to let him know that he was going to be investigated. How can this be? Is it really the role of the minister to ring dirty farmers, farmers that may have broken the law, to give them a friendly heads up. To me it shows how deep the tentacles of the dairy industry reach.
And what about this.
Dehorning is very painful for the calves let alone of 2 year old animals - that is why legally you must have a vet present.
The Minister of Agriculture david carter rang alan crafar to let him know that MAF were going to investigate him and his so called farms. That's right the minister rang the person his ministry was about to investigate to let him know that he was going to be investigated. How can this be? Is it really the role of the minister to ring dirty farmers, farmers that may have broken the law, to give them a friendly heads up. To me it shows how deep the tentacles of the dairy industry reach.
And what about this.
Dehorning is very painful for the calves let alone of 2 year old animals - that is why legally you must have a vet present.
"Maf investigations manager Greg Reid told the Waikato Times yesterday that the ministry had investigated a complaint of farm workers on the Collins Rd farm de-horning 150 two-year-old in-calf heifers without anaesthetic.
The investigation found medication had been prescribed by a vet who was not present.
Farmers found guilty of de-horning cattle over nine months old can face a fine and prison.
Mr Reid, who would not name the vet, said no offence had been committed because the farm workers had consulted a vet, as per animal welfare rules.
However, Maf would be asking the New Zealand Veterinary Association whether it was comfortable with the situation.
"Is it strictly in accordance with the code? Probably not," Mr Reid said.
"We would prefer the vet to be present," Mr Reid said. "
MAF are a useless bunch of wankers. What the hell is your job MAF? Looking after the lifestock or looking after your dirty farming mates? Resign carter you are a useless minister.
Two month protest against logging continues up north
Well i talked about protests the other day and it is good to know that tangata whenua are not sitting down and taking abuse of the land or water.
"Maori protesters who have occupied Crown land near Omahuta Forest for two months are vowing to continue their protest despite the arrest of their rangatira."
"Whanau claiming "unextinguished aboriginal title" to about 450ha of Crown forest land Juken New Zealand leases say they will remain on the land until the Crown recognises their mana whenua."
I've posted about this before but let's just go over the complaints.
"They accuse the company of degrading the land and disturbing burial sites of their tupuna.
"The unlawful tenant, Juken New Zealand, has caused much damage to the whenua, logging sacred kauri, clearing vast areas of native bush and planting noxious pine forests."
Commercial forestry has also lowered water tables and polluted waterways, they say.
"Streams that were once rushing and flush with tuna – eel – run low because of sediment deposits and deforestation," they say. "
What do the tangata whenua want?
"Maori protesters who have occupied Crown land near Omahuta Forest for two months are vowing to continue their protest despite the arrest of their rangatira."
"Whanau claiming "unextinguished aboriginal title" to about 450ha of Crown forest land Juken New Zealand leases say they will remain on the land until the Crown recognises their mana whenua."
I've posted about this before but let's just go over the complaints.
"They accuse the company of degrading the land and disturbing burial sites of their tupuna.
"The unlawful tenant, Juken New Zealand, has caused much damage to the whenua, logging sacred kauri, clearing vast areas of native bush and planting noxious pine forests."
Commercial forestry has also lowered water tables and polluted waterways, they say.
"Streams that were once rushing and flush with tuna – eel – run low because of sediment deposits and deforestation," they say. "
What do the tangata whenua want?
"They want the Crown to revoke a forest licence which gives Juken New Zealand exclusive use of the land for 35 years.
Juken New Zealand is extracting resources for profit and at the same time sacrificing the sustainability of the land. If left to continue, everything of value will be taken from the whenua."
Hapu with hereditary links to the land should decide how it is managed in the interests of biodiversity, the environment and future generations, they say.
"Te Whanau Pani is committed to halting further damage and restoring the lands to balance."
Yes! Give it back and let maori take control.
"Officer in charge at Kerikeri police station senior sergeant Peter Robinson says police are in talks with Juken New Zealand about how they can support them to resume logging. "
And the authorities are on the side of the big business - what a surprise. Yes, quick, help this multinational company with profit bigger than some countries, they are losing money. LOL
UN says it has concerns about social disparites between maori and non-maori
The UN has reviewed this countrys human rights record and the verdict?
"The UN's Human Rights Council has told the Government it has concerns about social disparities between Maori and non-Maori, high rates of Maori imprisonment and New Zealand's commitment to indigenous rights."
"Justice Minister Simon Power told the council the Government acknowledged there were challenges to meet and disparities persisted for Maori in education, health, employment, crime statistics and income.
Mr Power said the Government was seeking to remedy these inequalities, even in the face of global economic problems and the recession."
Can inequity be remedied by money? - is that all that needs to happen? - just throw some dollars at it or is it actually a deeper problem that will need a mindset change.
"The council said today Mr Power had given "a clear statement" of the Government's commitment to respecting and strengthening human rights.
The challenge now was for the Government "to reflect these commitments in legislation and policy initiatives and financial decisions", it said."
Yes how about actually working with the maori party in a constructive way for the betterment of maori and all people living here. Enough hollow words, power, it is time for action - even the UN says so.
"The UN's Human Rights Council has told the Government it has concerns about social disparities between Maori and non-Maori, high rates of Maori imprisonment and New Zealand's commitment to indigenous rights."
"Justice Minister Simon Power told the council the Government acknowledged there were challenges to meet and disparities persisted for Maori in education, health, employment, crime statistics and income.
Mr Power said the Government was seeking to remedy these inequalities, even in the face of global economic problems and the recession."
Can inequity be remedied by money? - is that all that needs to happen? - just throw some dollars at it or is it actually a deeper problem that will need a mindset change.
"The council said today Mr Power had given "a clear statement" of the Government's commitment to respecting and strengthening human rights.
The challenge now was for the Government "to reflect these commitments in legislation and policy initiatives and financial decisions", it said."
Yes how about actually working with the maori party in a constructive way for the betterment of maori and all people living here. Enough hollow words, power, it is time for action - even the UN says so.
As Moana Jackson says,
"New Zealand did not come through the review process well."
"He told Waatea News the UN agency had echoed criticisms of the Foreshore and Seabed ACT previously expressed by a UN committee on the elimination of racial discrimination. "
Good Ngai Tahu debate
Good debate on Roarprawn about Ngai Tahu around this post: ngai-tahu-struggles-to-hold-good-staff
For me, 15 years is a good effort and i thank Richard for his mahi and wish him well. But I'm not crying - it's another chance to employ an iwi member.
For me, 15 years is a good effort and i thank Richard for his mahi and wish him well. But I'm not crying - it's another chance to employ an iwi member.
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